HONDA NC700S (2012-2013) Review

Overall the NC700S is a surprisingly endearing utility bike

Overall the NC700S is a surprisingly endearing utility bike

At a glance

670cc - 47 bhp

68 mpg - 210 miles range

Medium seat height (790mm)

Overall Rating
4 out of 5

An economical little work horse that can just about cut it out of town when you fancy going a little faster. Stability, comfort, cheap price and a large storage space make the NC700S a very appealing bike. Overall the NC700S is a surprisingly endearing utility bike. You’d buy it with your head…but it would soon find a place in your heart.

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

Typical Honda and a doddle to ride fast or slow: it’s relatively light and flickable, just keep the throttle pinned and as soon as is starts to deck out you know you’re near the limit. In short: the chassis and brakes way out-perform the NC700S’s engine. In town, the NC700S makes a lot of sense. The low centre of gravity and centralised mass mean that it never feels anything less than glued to the road, and combined with the firm suspension and positive front end it’s a very well balanced bike and very much at home in the city.

Engine
4 out of 5

Despite only making a claimed 47bhp, the Honda never seems to lack grunt. Out of town the Honda works OK once you get the hang of the limiter and short shift to suit – just ride it like you would drive a diesel car and you soon get the hang of it. It's likable and incredibly easy to get on with from the off because of the way it pulls cleanly and strongly thanks largely to its long stroke.

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Despite its price tag, theNC700S feels incredibly well built. Paint is impressively thick and all fittings and panels fit extremely well. It's a Honda so you know it'll take a

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

If there was ever a bike for these tough economic times, it would be the NC700. Under £6000 and capable of 80mpg is hard to ignore. If you use your bike for commuting it's a no-brainer.

Equipment
4 out of 5

Honda's excellent Combined Anto-Lock Braking system (C-ABS) comes as standard and you get a nice big storage space where the tank should be which can easily swallow a full face helmet.

By
MCN Staff

Owners' Reviews

2 owners have reviewed their HONDA NC700S (2012-2013) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

We’re currently improving the way this section works, which means we’ve had to suspend the submission of new owners’ reviews for a short period. Please check back soon.

Summary of Owners' Reviews

Overall Rating

5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes

4 out of 5

Engine

5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability

5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs

5 out of 5

Equipment

4 out of 5

5 out of 5

Better than spec sheet suggests!

18 September 2012
by
sj_edinburgh

I've only owned this bike for a week now, but it's turning out to be the best I've owned for quite while. The spec sheet suggests this bike should be slow and boring, but the reality is quite different. Sure there's now top end rush and not a lot of... Read more performance above the legal maximum but this bike really excels up to 70mph. Very smooth power delivery and one of the few bikes I've owned happy to run a half throttle. It doesn't constantly encourage you to ride faster, like many bikes these days, quite happy and fun to ride at 60mph and gets there very quickly and with little fuss - there's a lot of pull at lower revs. My previous bike was a V-strom 650 and the NC is smoother, as powerful lowdown, has a much better gearbox and the brakes are great too. Comfortwise it could be better, the seat is pretty hard, slippery and slopes forward too much. The bike lacks any wind protection obviously, so this is no long distance tourer. Build quality looks good and fuel consumption is amazing (70mpg+ thrashed). The NC hadnles very well too, no problems at any speed, although the rear shock seems a bit budget when pushed. I went for the S model, being tall I found the X just too upright for me and the seat/peg distance is about the same on both models. The S is also £500 cheaper and to me at least a lot better looking than the X (don't like the beak). Allround very happy!

Overall Rating
5 out of 5

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5

Engine
5 out of 5

Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5

Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5

Equipment
4 out of 5

5 out of 5

just bought today

25 August 2012
by
mercymercyred

For my type of riding this bike is as perfect as you can get just traded my cbr in which was a bit of wrench but everything about this bike mpg torque storage is made for someone who sits at 80 to 85 mph and does around 20000 miles per year. Fed up... Read more seeing petrol go up daily now not so much of a concern. Not a bike for speed freaks and adreline junkies though. brilliant brilliant bike the future